SPECIMEN MATERIAL AS SOCIOLOGY (7191/2) Paper 2 Research Methods and Topics in Sociology Specimen 2015 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes Materials For this paper you must have: An AQA 12-page answer book. Instructions Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7191/2. Answer all questions in Section A and all questions from one topic in Section B. Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. Information The marks for questions are shown in brackets. The maximum mark for this paper is 60. Questions carrying 10 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose. In these questions you will be marked on your ability to: use good English organise information clearly use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
2 Section A Research Methods Answer all questions in this section. 0 1 Outline two problems of using structured interviews in sociological research. [4 marks] 0 2 Evaluate the problems of using participant observation in sociological research. [16 marks]
3 Section B Choose one topic from this section and answer all the questions on that topic. Topic B1 Culture and Identity 0 3 Define the term folk culture. 0 4 Using one example, briefly explain how parents may socialise their children into gender roles. 0 5 Outline three characteristics of the globalisation of culture. 0 6 Outline and explain two ways in which an individual s social experiences may be shaped by age. 0 7 Read Item A below and answer the question that follows. Item A Interactionist sociologists emphasise the importance of the self. Individuals develop a self-concept, a picture of themselves, which is an important influence on the way they act. This self-concept is developed through interactions with other people and helps to shape a person s social identity. Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate interactionist views of how social identity is shaped by interactions with others. Turn over for the next Topic Turn over
4 Topic B2 Families and Households 0 8 Define the term expressive role. 0 9 Using one example, briefly explain how migration may affect family diversity. 1 0 Outline three reasons for the increase in single person households. 1 1 1 2 Outline and explain two ways in which changes to gender roles have affected diversity of family structures. Read Item B below and answer the question that follows. Item B Item B For functionalist sociologists, the family is an important institution in society. They see the family as playing a number of important roles essential for the smooth running of society. However, other sociologists have emphasised different functions that families may fulfil in society. Applying material from Item B and from your knowledge, evaluate the contribution of functionalist views to our understanding of the family.
5 Topic B3 Health 1 3 Define the term iatrogenesis. 1 4 Using one example, briefly explain how cultural factors may lead to differences in health. 1 5 Outline three features of the functionalist view of the sick role. 1 6 1 7 Outline and explain two ways in which social groups definitions of illness affect their use of health care. Read Item C below and answer the question that follows. Item C Whereas many people see mental illness as purely the result of an individual s psychological characteristics, sociologists see it as closely linked to social factors. For example, different social classes, ethnic groups and genders have different rates and patterns of diagnosed mental disorders. This may be due to the pressures they face as a result of their social position, or it may be the result of their interactions with others. Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate sociological explanations of mental illness. Turn over for the next Topic Turn over
6 Topic B4 Work, Poverty and Welfare 1 8 Define the term wealth. 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 Using one example, briefly explain how poverty may be functional for some groups in society. Suggest three reasons why people with disabilities may be more likely than other social groups to experience poverty. Outline and explain two ways in which work in industrial society may lead to alienation. Read Item D below and answer the question that follows. Item D For many sociologists, poverty is related to the way in which capitalist societies are organised. The class structure determines the distribution of resources in society and the rewards that people receive. The result of this system is to leave some members of society in poverty. Applying material from Item D and from your knowledge, evaluate the view that poverty is caused by the class structure of society. END OF QUESTIONS Copyright 2014 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.